“Be ye strong therefore, and not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7
Imagine, if you would, a world or life with no true God, no instructing Priest, no Torah, a world of lawlessness, no altars, no sacrifices, no peace for anyone going or coming. Nation crushed by nation and city by city because God discomfited them.
It was in this state that Azariah went to Asa and said, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you” 2 Chron. 15:2.
In the midst of all this chaos, verse 7 starts with a sign of hope, “BUT.” This three-letter word sends a strong message to say, “Forget everything that was just said! There is a way out!”
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded,” says verse 7.
Asa strengthened himself, removed the abominations from Judah, Benjamin, the cities he had captured and Mount Ephraim, and he renewed the altar.
Doesn’t this sound like the world we live in today? Nations in upheaval, cities in distress, families living in lawlessness, businesses on the brink of going under, homes being driven apart, pastors struggling to keep the faith, churches feeling the effects of no active conviction within their walls, humanity serving the creature more than the Creator.
We find ourselves saying, “Where is God in all of this?” The answer? “BUT AS FOR YOU, BE STRONG AND DO NOT GIVE UP, FOR YOUR WORK WILL BE REWARDED.”
Clean out the things of abomination from the places you can, and seek Him, and He will be found by you.
Our prayer for you this week: May you be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
